U.S. patent application number 11/942482 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for method of displaying menu based on use record in mobile terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jong Seong LEE.
Application Number | 20080155428 11/942482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39140797 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080155428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Jong Seong |
June 26, 2008 |
METHOD OF DISPLAYING MENU BASED ON USE RECORD IN MOBILE
TERMINAL
Abstract
A method of displaying a menu in a mobile terminal based on a
use record, such as a use ranking and a use history, is provided.
The method of displaying a menu based on a use record in a mobile
terminal includes selecting one of at least two highest level
menus; extracting a use record of lowest level items corresponding
to the selected highest level menu; and displaying the selected
highest level menu and the lowest level items based on the use
record. Therefore, by simultaneously displaying a use ranking and a
use history on a screen and enabling a user to rapidly access a
desired item, it is unnecessary to pass through several
manipulation operations, and a display item is immediately updated
according to the use record, whereby a user can effectively use the
item.
Inventors: |
LEE; Jong Seong; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE FARRELL LAW FIRM, P.C.
333 EARLE OVINGTON BOULEVARD, SUITE 701
UNIONDALE
NY
11553
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
39140797 |
Appl. No.: |
11/942482 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/745 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0482
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/745 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/00 20060101
G06F003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2006 |
KR |
2006-0130551 |
Claims
1. A method of displaying a menu based on a use record in a mobile
terminal, comprising: selecting one of at least two highest level
menus; extracting a use record of lowest level items corresponding
to the selected highest level menu; and displaying the selected
highest level menu and the lowest level items based on the use
record.
2. A method of displaying a menu based on a use record in a mobile
terminal, comprising: selecting a highest level menu among at least
two highest level menus; extracting a use record, the use record
comprising a use ranking and a use history of lowest level items
corresponding to the selected highest level menu; displaying the
selected highest level menu on a screen; and displaying the lowest
level items on the screen based on the use record.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: selecting, by input
of one of a leftward direction key and a rightward direction key
after the lowest level items are displayed, an other highest level
menu among the at least two highest level menus; extracting a use
record of lowest level items corresponding to the selected other
highest level menu; displaying the selected other highest level
menu on the screen; and displaying the lowest level items
corresponding to the selected other highest level menu on the
screen based on the use record.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein displaying the selected highest
level menu on a screen comprises displaying the selected highest
level menu at the center of the screen, and wherein displaying the
lowest level items on the screen comprises displaying the lowest
level items in each of an upper area and a lower area of the screen
based on the use ranking and use history, respectively.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying the lowest level items
on the screen comprises disposing lowest level items having one of
a highest use ranking and a most recently used history at positions
adjacent to the selected highest level menu.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying the selected highest
level menu on the screen comprises displaying the selected highest
level menu and remaining highest level menus of the at least two
highest level menus, wherein the selected highest level menu is
displayed to be identified as the selected highest level menu among
the at least two highest level menus.
7. The method of claim 4, further comprising: displaying, when an
upward direction key is input after displaying the lowest level
items, the selected highest level menu at the lower end of the
screen; and displaying the lowest level items in the upper area of
the screen based on the use ranking.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying a focus at
a lowest level item adjacent to the selected highest level
menu.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: executing, when a
selection key is input, a function of the lowest level item at
which the focus is displayed; and updating the use record.
10. The method of claim 4, further comprising: displaying, when a
downward direction key is input after displaying the lowest level
items, the selected highest level menu at the upper end of the
screen; and displaying the lowest level items in the lower area of
the screen based on the use history.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying a focus
at a lowest level item adjacent to the selected highest level
menu.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising executing, if a
selection key is input, a function of the lowest level item at
which the focus is displayed, and updating the use record.
13. The method of claim 2, wherein selecting a highest level menu
among the at least two highest level menus comprises selecting a
highest level menu of a most recently used lowest level item.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to a Korean Patent
Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on
Dec. 20, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-0130551, the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method of displaying a
menu in a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a method of
displaying a menu in a mobile terminal based on a use record such
as a use ranking and a use history.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Due to development of telecommunication technology and
semiconductor technology, various mobile terminals have been widely
used. Nowadays, mobile terminals have their intrinsic functions as
well as functions typically found in other terminals. Specifically,
the mobile terminals have various multimedia functions such as a
television viewing function (for example, mobile broadcasting such
as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB)), music reproducing
function (for example, an MP3 player), and photographing function
as well as a general communication function such as voice
communication or transmission and reception of a message.
[0006] As the mobile terminals have various and sometimes complex
functions, the quantity of functions and content available to a
user have been gradually increased. However, a menu structure of
the mobile terminals based on a hierarchical tree structure has
been little changed for at least a decade. A current menu structure
of the mobile terminals has problems such as increase of
manipulation steps due to multiple available functions, and
complexity of a screen hierarchy structure, and access error due to
a single error within a multiple step process, and therefore is a
structure unfriendly to the user. Further, items displayed in the
menu structure are classified in consideration of the
characteristics and inclinations of a target user, without
considering usage characteristics of an individual user.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating menus having a conventional
tree structure.
[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, a general menu structure 10 of the
mobile terminal is a so-called tree structure in which menu items
are formed in several levels. Items such as a function or content
actually used by the user in the tree structure are positioned at
the lowest level (for example, `A11`, `B11`, and `C11`). Therefore,
in order for the user to access a desired item, upper levels of the
corresponding item must be sequentially passed through. For
example, in order to access an item `B12`, items `B` and `B1` in
levels higher than the item `B12` must be sequentially passed
through.
[0009] In such a method of accessing a menu, the menu is displayed
in a display unit of a mobile terminal as follows.
[0010] FIGS. 2A to 2C are examples of a screen illustrating a
conventional method of displaying a menu.
[0011] When a user selects a menu, highest level items (A, B, C,
etc.) are displayed in a display unit 20 of the mobile terminal, as
shown in FIG. 2A. If the user selects item `B`, lower level items
`B1`, `B2`, and `B3` of item `B` are displayed, as shown in FIG.
2B. If item `B1` is selected, the lowest level items `B11` and
`B12` are displayed, as shown in FIG. 2C. Finally, the user can
execute a desired function or content by selecting item `B12`.
[0012] In the conventional method of displaying a menu, items in
each level of a menu structure are displayed in a bundle. The menu
structure 10 of FIG. 1 is shown to describe a concept of the
conventional method of displaying a menu, however an actual menu
structure may have more levels and items than the menu structure 10
of FIG. 1. If the menu structure has more levels and items, the
method of displaying a menu as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C becomes
complicated, and the number of times of manipulation for accessing
an item requested by the user increases. Accordingly, it is not
easy to find and access a desired item, and a case of inadvertently
accessing an undesired item may arise.
[0013] Instead of a method of accessing a desired menu item in an
hierarchy of levels, a method of directly accessing a desired menu
item through a shortcut exists. However, this method requires a
process of registering a shortcut, and the quantity of shortcuts
available to register is limited. Further, after a time, a
registered item may no longer be important to a user. In this case,
a manipulation process of deleting the registered item and
registering another item is required.
[0014] In consideration of the user's characteristics or
inclination, a classification system of items in a menu structure
of a mobile terminal may be set. For example, in a product for a
younger person, items related to a multimedia function may be
subdivided, whereas in a product for an elder person, only a basic
function may be provided. However, even if the mobile terminal has
a different menu structure, there is a limitation in constructing a
menu structure in consideration of the user's individual using
characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention has been made in an effort to solve
the above problems, and the present invention provides a method of
displaying a menu in a mobile terminal that can easily access an
item requested by a user.
[0016] The present invention further provides a method of
displaying a menu in a mobile terminal that can be conveniently
manipulated by a user.
[0017] The present invention further provides a method of
displaying a menu in a mobile terminal that can reflect the user's
individual using characteristics.
[0018] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
method of displaying a menu based on a use record in a mobile
terminal includes selecting one of at least two highest level
menus; extracting a use record of the lowest level items
corresponding to the selected highest level menu; and displaying
the selected highest level menu and the lowest level items based on
the use record.
[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a method of displaying a menu based on a use record in a mobile
terminal includes selecting a highest level menu among at least two
highest level menus; extracting a use record, comprising a use
ranking and a use history, of the lowest level items corresponding
to the selected highest level menu; displaying the selected highest
level menu on a screen; and displaying the lowest level items
corresponding to the selected highest level menu on the screen
based on the use record.
[0020] The method may further include selecting, by input of a
leftward direction key or a rightward direction key after the
lowest level items are displayed, another highest level menu among
the highest level menus; extracting a use record of the lowest
level items corresponding to the newly selected highest level menu;
displaying the newly selected highest level menu on a screen; and
displaying the lowest level items corresponding to the newly
selected highest level menu on the screen based on the use
record.
[0021] Displaying the selected highest level menu on a screen may
include displaying the selected highest level menu at the center of
the screen, and displaying the lowest level items on the screen may
include displaying the lowest level items in each of an upper area
and a lower area of the screen based on the use ranking and use
history, respectively.
[0022] Displaying the lowest level items on the screen may include
disposing lowest level items having one of a highest use ranking
and a most recently use history at positions adjacent to the
selected highest level menu.
[0023] Displaying the selected highest level menu on a screen may
include displaying the selected highest level menu and the
remaining highest level menus, wherein the selected highest level
menu is displayed to be identified as the selected highest level
menu among the highest level menus.
[0024] Selecting a highest level menu among at least two highest
level menus may include selecting a highest level menu of a most
recently used lowest level item.
[0025] The method may further include displaying, if an upward
direction key is input after displaying the lowest level items, the
selected highest level menu at the lower end of the screen; and
displaying the lowest level items in the upper area of the screen
based on the used ranking.
[0026] The method may further include displaying, if a downward
direction key is input after displaying the lowest level items, the
selected highest level menu at the upper end of the screen; and
displaying the lowest level items in the lower area of the screen
based on the use history.
[0027] The method may further include displaying a focus at a
lowest level item adjacent to the selected highest level menu.
[0028] The method may further include executing, if a selection key
is input, a function of the lowest level item at which the focus is
displayed, and updating the use record.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The aspects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating menus having a conventional
tree structure;
[0031] FIGS. 2A to 2C are examples of a screen illustrating a
conventional method of displaying a menu;
[0032] FIG. 3 is an example of a use record to be used in a method
of displaying a menu according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0033] FIGS. 4A to 4D are examples of a screen illustrating a
method of displaying a menu according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0034] FIGS. 5A to 5C are examples of a screen applying the method
of displaying a menu of FIGS. 4A to 4C;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
mobile terminal for performing a method of displaying a menu
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a
menu according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a
menu in the method of displaying a menu of FIG. 7; and
[0038] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of redisplaying
a menu in the method of displaying a menu of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described
with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same
reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the
same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions
and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid
obscuring the subject matter of the present invention.
[0040] It is assumed that a mobile terminal has the menu structure
10 of FIG. 1. The menu structure 10 of FIG. 1 is a simplified
example only for explanation purpose, and an actual menu structure
may have more complex levels and items. Further, in the menu
structure 10 of FIG. 1, the quantity of steps to pass through in
order to access a lowest level item is identical for each item,
however in an actual menu structure, the quantity of steps to pass
through in order to access a lowest level item may be different for
each item.
[0041] A menu item positioned at a lowest level of the menu
structure 10 can be classified into two types. A first type is a
function or content to be used by a user, for example, a function
of a menu for executing or setting some application, or a
multimedia content stored in a mobile terminal. A second type is an
event generated in a mobile terminal, for example, transmission and
reception of voice communication and transmission and reception of
a message.
[0042] In this specification, in the first type of menu item, a
`use` of a menu item means to `enter` the menu by selecting the
function or the content, i.e. to `execute` an item, not to just
select the function or the content; and in the second type of menu
item, a `use` of a menu item indicates `generation` of the event. A
`use record` of menu item includes a use ranking and a use history.
The `use ranking` indicates a number of times of use of each menu
item, and the `use history` indicates the points in time of use of
each menu item. The use ranking may be the number of times of use
of an item, and the use history may be an order of the most recent
use of an item based on the time point of use of the item.
[0043] FIG. 3 is an example of a use record to be used in a method
of displaying a menu according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0044] It is assumed that each of the lowest level items in the
menu structure 10 of FIG. 1 has a use record 30 shown in FIG. 3.
For example, an item `a11` has been used 10 times and is the 9-th
most recently used item, and an item `a13` has been used 18 times
and is the 7-th, 8-th, and 11-th most recently used item.
[0045] The use ranking can be calculated for a preset specific time
period. For example, the use ranking is the number of times of use
during a past one month from the present time. The use history can
be calculated for a preset specific period or can be calculated up
to a specific order in an order of the most recently used items. In
the latter case, for example, the most recently used item to the
100-th most recently used item can be set as the menu items for
calculation of a use history. Further, the use history may be
calculated for each highest level menu or may be calculated only
for each menu item based on information of the most recent use of
each item.
[0046] Next, a method of displaying a menu using a menu structure
and a use record is described through examples of a screen
performing the method.
[0047] FIGS. 4A to 4D are examples of a screen illustrating a
method of displaying a menu according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0048] FIGS. 5A to 5C are examples of a screen applying the method
of displaying a menu of FIGS. 4A to 4D.
[0049] If a menu entry key is input on a standby screen, a menu
screen 40a is displayed, as shown in FIG. 4A. At the center of the
menu screen 40a, a central bar 41 is displayed in a horizontal
direction. At the central bar 41, items (for example, A, B, and C)
of the highest level menu are arranged in a form of icons 42, and a
first focus 43 is positioned at one of the icons 42. An icon 42 of
the item `A` at which the first focus 43 is positioned is displayed
larger in size than the icons 42 of the other items (B, C, etc.). A
focused item may be identified by a size, color, etc. of the icon
42, and the first focus 43 may be omitted. An item name 44 is
displayed next to the item (currently item `A`) at which the first
focus 43 is positioned.
[0050] In an upper area 45 of the screen, positioned above the
central bar 41, the lowest level items `A11`, `A22`, and `A13` are
vertically arranged based on a use ranking. Similarly, in a lower
area 46 of the screen, positioned below the central bar 41, the
lowest level items `A12`, `A22`, and `A13` are vertically arranged
based on a use history. The lowest level items displayed in the
upper area 45 and the lower area 46 are items of a lower level of
the highest level item `A` at which the first focus 43 is
positioned. Items having a higher use ranking or items having a
more recent use history are disposed at a position adjacent to the
central bar 41.
[0051] For example, in a use record of FIG. 3, an order of lowest
level items `A11` to `A22` according to a use ranking is `A13`,
`A22`, `A11`, `A12`, and `A21`, and the items are arranged in this
order upwards from a position immediately above the central bar 41.
Similarly, according to a use history, the items are arranged in
the order `A12`, `A22`, `A22`, `A13`, `A13`, `A11`, and `A13`, and
the items are arranged in this order downwards from a position
immediately below the central bar 41. At the left side of the areas
45 and 46, a corresponding phrase is displayed to notify that the
items are arranged according to a use ranking and use history,
respectively.
[0052] A realistic example of the menu screen 40a of FIG. 4A is
shown in FIG. 5A. Referring to FIG. 5A, the item `A` is `received
call`. According to a use ranking, `Edward Lyons`, `Anna Bierce`,
etc. corresponding to lowest level items are displayed in an upper
area, and according to a use history, `Anna Bierce`, `Lucy Ives`,
etc. corresponding to lowest level items are displayed in a lower
area. In this way, the lowest level items are displayed with an
item name, and an icon is displayed at the left side of the item
name.
[0053] If a user inputs an upward direction key during display of
the menu screen 40a in FIG. 4A, a menu screen 40b in FIG. 4B is
displayed. On the menu screen 40b, the central bar 41 moves to and
is displayed at a lower end of the screen, and the items in the
central bar 41 except for the focused highest level item `A`
disappear from the central bar 41. As the central bar 41 moves to
the lower end of the screen, the lowest level items are displayed
only in the upper area 45. A second focus 47 is positioned at the
lowest level item `A13` adjacent to the central bar 41, and a use
ranking (18 times) of the item `A13` is displayed. However, in
other embodiments, the use ranking may be omitted. The second focus
47 is moved upwards sequentially through the items by inputting the
upward direction key, and the menu screen 40a of FIG. 4A reappears
by inputting the downward direction key.
[0054] If the user inputs the downward direction key during display
of the menu screen 40a in FIG. 4A, a menu screen 40c in FIG. 4C is
displayed. On the menu screen 40c, the central bar 41 moves to and
is displayed at an upper end of the screen, and the items in the
central bar 41 except for the focused highest level item `A`
disappear from the central bar 41. As the central bar 41 moves to
the upper end of the screen, the lowest level items are displayed
only in the lower area 46. The second focus 47 is positioned at the
lowest level item `A12` adjacent to the central bar 41, and a use
time point (2007/01/16, 07:49) of the item `A12` is displayed. The
second focus 47 is moved downwards sequentially through the items
by inputting the downward direction key, and the menu screen 40a in
FIG. 4A reappears by inputting the upward direction key.
[0055] FIGS. 5B and 5C are realistic examples of the menu screens
40b and 40c in FIGS. 4B and 4C, respectively.
[0056] If a rightward direction key is input by the user during
display of the menu screen 40a in FIG. 4A, a menu screen 40d in
FIG. 4D is displayed. The position of the central bar 41 does not
change, and a focused highest level item changes. That is, by
inputting a rightward direction key, the icons 42 of the highest
level items arranged at the central bar 41 move to the left.
Accordingly, an item `B` that was previously at the right side of
the item `A` is positioned at a position of the first focus 43, and
the item `A` moves to the right side of an end item `F`. In this
way, if the leftward direction key or the rightward direction key
is input, the highest level items move to the left or to the right,
respectively. As the focused highest level item changes, the lowest
level items displayed in the upper area 45 and the lower area 46
also change.
[0057] In the method of displaying a menu, in order to enter the
menu screen 40a in FIG. 4A from a standby screen, a hotkey or a
communication key to which a menu screen entry function is mapped
should be input. When entering the menu screen 40a by inputting the
hotkey, it is preferable that the first focus 43 is positioned at a
highest level item of the most recently used menu item. When
entering the menu screen 40a by inputting the communication key,
the first focus 43 may be set to be positioned at a `dialed call`,
which is one of the highest level items.
[0058] For example, the quantity of lowest level items to be
displayed on the menu screen may be set to 10 for the use ranking
and may be set to 30 for the use history. However, it is preferable
that the quantity of the lowest level items that are actually
displayed on the menu screen is set to about 4 items in each of the
upward and downward directions in the case of FIG. 4A, and is set
to about 7 or 8 items in the case of FIG. 4B and in the downward
direction in the case of FIG. 4C.
[0059] If the entire item name of the displayed highest level item
or lowest level item is too long to be displayed on one screen, the
item name can be automatically scrolled to the left.
[0060] In order to change from a state of focusing a lowest level
item of the upper or lower area to a state of focusing the highest
level item of the central bar, in a state where the second focus is
positioned at an item immediately adjacent to the central bar, a
direction key towards the central bar (for example, in the case of
the use ranking, a downward direction key) should be input, or in a
state where the second focus is positioned at an item farthest from
the central bar, a direction key in a direction further away from
the central bar (for example, in the case of the use ranking, an
upward direction key) should be input.
[0061] When the second focus is positioned at a specific lowest
level item, if a selection key (or a confirmation key) is input, a
function of the corresponding item is executed, and a related
screen is displayed, and a use record of the executed item is
updated.
[0062] A mobile terminal, and a method for displaying a menu based
on the use record in the mobile terminal are described
hereinafter.
[0063] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
mobile terminal for performing a method of displaying a menu
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, a mobile terminal 60 includes a key
input unit 61, display unit 62, controller 63, and storage unit
64.
[0065] The mobile terminal 60 may be a personal information
terminal such as various types of mobile phones, a smart phone,
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), mobile broadcasting receiver such
as a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) receiver, multimedia
player such as an MP3 player and Portable Multimedia Player (PMP),
and other mobile electronic appliances having a key input unit and
a display unit.
[0066] The key input unit 61 detects a user's manipulation
operation and generates an input signal according to the
manipulation operation. The key input unit 61 includes a hotkey for
entering a menu screen and a 4-way navigation key for moving a
focus to items. The hotkey may be a separate key, or an existing
key to which a menu entry function is mapped. The key input unit 61
can use an input device such as a keypad, touch pad, and jog.
[0067] The display unit 62 displays various information related to
a state and operation of the mobile terminal 60. Particularly, the
display unit 62 displays menu items based on a use record. The
display unit 62 generally uses a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD),
however may use other display devices.
[0068] The controller 63 is a microprocessor for controlling
general operations of the mobile terminal 60. Particularly, the
controller 63 includes a menu display control module 65 and a using
record control module 66. The menu display control module 65
receives key input related to menu display from the key input unit
61 to control the using record control module 66, and controls the
display unit 62 to display menu items based on the use record. The
using record control module 66 extracts or updates use records
stored in the storage unit 64.
[0069] The storage unit 64 stores various programs and data
executed and processed in the mobile terminal 60, and includes at
least one volatile memory element and at least one non-volatile
memory element. Particularly, the storage unit 64 includes a using
record database (DB) 67 and stores a use record in the using record
DB 67. The use record is shown in FIG. 3.
[0070] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a
menu according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0071] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in a standby state, the menu
display control module 65 determines whether a menu entry key is
input from the key input unit 61 (step S71). The input of the menu
entry key may be input of a hotkey or of a communication key.
[0072] If a menu entry key is input from the key input unit 61, the
menu display control module 65 determines the most recently used
lowest level item and determines a highest level menu of the item
from the using record DB 67, and selects the highest level menu of
the most recently used lowest level item (step S72). For example,
if the most recently used lowest level item is the item `A12` of
FIG. 1, a highest level menu `A` of the item `A12` is selected.
This step may be performed through the using record control module
66. Instead of such a selection method, a method of always
selecting a specific menu may be used. For example, when entering a
main menu by pressing a communication key, a sending communication
list may always be selected.
[0073] The menu display control module 65 extracts a use record of
lowest level items corresponding to the selected highest level menu
from the using record DB 67 by controlling the using record control
module 66 (step S73). For example, if the selected highest level
menu is `A`, a use record of the lowest level items `A11` to `A22`
corresponding to the menu `A` is extracted. The use record includes
a use ranking and a use history, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0074] The menu display control module 65 displays a menu based on
the extracted use record (step S74).
[0075] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating step S74 of displaying a
menu in more detail.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 4A, 6, and 8, the menu display control
module 65 displays the central bar 41 at the center of a screen of
the display unit 62 (step S741), and the selected highest level
menu `A` is displayed at the central bar 41 (step S742). As shown
in FIG. 4A, the highest level menus are displayed in the form of
the icons 42 at the central bar 41, and the selected highest level
menu `A` uses a large icon 42 and displays the item name 44 for
identification to distinguish it from other menus.
[0077] The menu display control module 65 displays the lowest level
items based on the use record extracted by the using record control
module 66. That is, the lowest level items are displayed in the
upper area 45 according to their use ranking (step S743), and the
lowest level items are displayed in the lower area 46 according to
their use history (step S744). An item having a highest use ranking
and an item having a most recent use history are disposed at a
position adjacent to the central bar 41.
[0078] Returning to FIGS. 6 and 7, after the menu is displayed
based on the use record, the menu display control module 65
determines whether a leftward or rightward direction key is input
(step S75). If a leftward or rightward direction key is input, the
menu display control module 65 reselects a highest level menu
displayed at the central bar 41 according to the key input (step
S76). For example, when the currently selected highest level menu
is `A`, if the rightward direction key is input, a highest level
menu `B` positioned at the right side of the highest level menu `A`
is selected. The process returns to step S73 and a process of
extracting the use record of the lowest level items corresponding
to the selected highest level menu is again performed. That is, a
use record of the lowest level items `B11 to B32` corresponding to
the reselected highest level menu B is extracted. Thereafter, a
menu is displayed again based on the extracted use record at step
S74.
[0079] FIG. 4D is an example of a screen illustrating a process of
reselecting a highest level menu and displaying the corresponding
lowest level items in the method of displaying a menu.
[0080] If a leftward or rightward direction key is not input at
step S75, the menu display control module 65 determines whether an
upward or downward direction key is input (step S77).
[0081] If an upward or downward direction key is not input, the
process returns to step S75. If an upward or downward direction key
is input, the menu display control module 65 redisplays a menu
(step S78).
[0082] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating step S78 of redisplaying
a menu in more detail.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 4B, 4C, 6, and 9, the menu display
control module 65 determines whether the upward direction key is
input (step S781). If the upward direction key is input, the menu
display control module 65 determines whether the central bar 41 is
positioned at the center of the screen of the display unit 62 (step
S782). If the central bar 41 is positioned at the center of the
screen of the display unit 62, the central bar 41 is redisplayed at
the lower end of the screen (step S783), as shown in FIG. 4B.
[0084] As the central bar 41 is redisplayed, the lowest level items
of the upper area 45 are also redisplayed (step S784), and the
second focus 47 is positioned at the lowest level item immediately
adjacent to the central bar 41 (step S785).
[0085] If the upward direction key is not input at step S781, (that
is, if the downward direction key is input), the menu display
control module 65 determines whether the central bar 41 is
positioned at the center of the screen of the display unit 62 (step
S787). If the central bar 41 is positioned at the center of the
screen of the display unit 62, the central bar 41 is redisplayed at
the upper end of the screen (step S788), as shown in FIG. 4C. As
the central bar 41 is redisplayed, the lowest level items of the
lower area 46 are also redisplayed (step S789), and the second
focus 47 is positioned at the lowest level item immediately
adjacent to the central bar 41 at step S785.
[0086] If the central bar 41 is not positioned at the center of the
screen at either of step S782 or step S787, this mean that the
central bar 41 is positioned at the lower end or the upper end of
the screen, and the second focus 47 is positioned at one of the
displayed lowest level items. In this case, because the upward
direction key or the downward direction key is input to move the
second focus 47, the menu display control module 65 moves the
second focus 47 in a direction corresponding to the input upward pr
downward direction key (step S786).
[0087] Returning to FIGS. 6 and 7, after the menu is redisplayed by
input of the upward direction key or the downward direction key at
step S78, the menu display control module 65 determines whether the
selection key is input (step S79). If the selection key is not
input, the process returns to step S75. If the selection key is
input, the controller 63 executes a function of the lowest level
item at which the second focus 47 is positioned (step S80).
[0088] The using record control module 66 updates a use record
stored in the using record DB 67 (step S81). The updated use record
is used as a base of menu display at the following time of entering
a menu.
[0089] As described above, according to the present invention,
items such as a function and a content to be used by the user are
selectively displayed based on a use record such as a use ranking
and use history. That is, by selectively displaying items having a
higher use ranking or items having a more recent use history, a
user can more easily and rapidly access a desired item.
Particularly, by using both a use ranking and use history in menu
display, a user request can be smoothly performed.
[0090] Further, in a method of displaying a menu, because it is
unnecessary to pass through higher level items in order to access a
lowest level item, user manipulation is simplified. Further, a
conventional manipulation process of registration and deletion of a
shortcut is not required.
[0091] Further, whenever the user uses a lowest level item, a use
record is updated, and the menu is thus redisplayed, whereby a
user's individual use characteristics can be reflected.
[0092] Further, because a method of displaying a menu according to
the present invention is not influenced by increase of a function
or content, the method can be conveniently used.
[0093] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have
been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly
understood that many variations and modifications of the basic
inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled
in the present art will still fall within the spirit and scope of
the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.
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